He has a purpose for your life - part 2
1. Made to last forever
God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (New Living Translation)
- God designed you in His image to last forever. Your earthly body is a temporary residence for your spirit.
- Your earthly body is called ?a tent? while heaven is called ?a house?
2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (New King James Version)
C.S Lewis said - There are two kinds of people. Those who say ? thy will be done? and those to whom God says ?alright then, have it your way? (Israel and Saul)
- A focus on eternity puts this time into proper perspective.
2. Seeing life from God?s view
How you see life determine the way you run.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (New International Version)
We don?t see things as they are; we see them as we are.
Anais Nin
- If you see life as a party your primary aim will be to have fun.
- If you see life as a race - speed, hurry and mad ambition will drive you.
- If you see life as marathon - endurance will be your watchword.
- If you see life as a battle - attack and defend will be your goal.
A faulty metaphor can ruin the direction of your life.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (New International Version)
The world?s view of life
? Machines for work
? An animal
? Hormone driven
? Economic satisfaction
? No purpose at all
The three Bible views of life
1. Life is an opportunity to be faithful to God (test).
What do these people have in common?
a. Adam and Eve, Balaam, Saul
b. Joseph, Ruth, Esther, David
You have a choice to allow life to develops your character or multiply your faults.
However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.2 Chronicles 32:31 (New Living Translation)
God wants you to remain faithful to Him
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.1 Corinthians 10:13 (New Living Translation)
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (New American Standard Bible)
2. Life is a time of being trusted with the things God has given you.
You have been trusted we what you have - your wife, husband, children, ministry, gifts, talents, intellect, finance, jobs
The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Psalm 24:1 (New American Standard Bible).
You never really own anything on earth. God loans it to you - like a mortgage.
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (New American Standard Bible)
The world says - if you don?t own it don?t care for it
The Bible says
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (New American Standard Bible)
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:21 (New American Standard Bible)
Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 (New Living Translation)
3. Life is a temporary assignment
LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered,
and that my life is fleeing away. Psalm 39:4 (New Living Translation)
I am but a foreigner here on earth;
I need the guidance of your commands.
Don't hide them from me! Psalm 119:19 (New Living Translation)
For we were born but yesterday and know so little.
Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow. Job 8:9 (New Living Translation)
You won?t be on earth long - use your time wisely.
LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered,
and that my life is fleeing away. Psalm 39:4 (New Living Translation)
And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. 1 Peter 1:17 (New Living Translation)
We have a home - story of missionary returning home on board the same ship as the President.
The reason for our life
When anything in creation fulfils its purpose it brings glory to God.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4 (New American Standard Bible)
Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made. Isaiah 43:7 (Amplified Bible)
The remaining sessions will focus on how we can fulfil our purpose on earth by bringing glory to Him.
Knowing you purpose
Faithfulness in small things brings responsibility for greater things.
Being dedicated to doing what is right builds up to knowing what God has created you to do. Keeping a right heart and cherishing the things God has trusted you with opens you to the favour of God. God?s favour will bring your God?s guidance.
Seeing life from God?s view will give you ?godly sight?.
The most precious things in life are often the most overlooked.
The relationships God has blessed you with are often stepping-stones to fulfilling His purpose in your life. When anything in creation fulfils its purpose it brings glory to God.
Your eternity will be determined by how much glory you bring to God.
We bring glory to God by
1. Worshipping Him.
2. Loving other believers.
3. Becoming like Christ.
4. Serving others with our gifts.
5. telling others about Him.
Adapted from the Book
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
by Rick Warren